How Often Do the Happiest Couples Have Sex? (Hint: It's Less Than You'd Think)

If you're worried that you and your partner need to up your game in the bedroom, relax. New research gathered by Happify shows that having lots of sex doesn't necessarily make couples happier.

"A lot of people have this idea in their heads that sex every day or close to every day is ideal. However, the research shows that at some point, too great a quantity of sex undermines quality and enjoyment," Acacia Parks, Ph.D., a positive psychology scientist and Happify's chief scientist tells Glamour. In fact, one study found that the happiest couples have sex an average of once a week. So you'd be wise to focus on quality over quantity.

To enhance the experience, check out these science-backed tips from Happify:

Make sure to cuddle after sex."It's easy to be in a hurry or to start doing something else (i.e., checking your phone), or to rush off to take a shower, or to get dressed if you feel self-conscious," says Parks. "However, what you do after sex seems to be about as important as whether you had sex in the first place." Research shows that couples who cuddle after sex are more sexually satisfied in their relationships—and surprisingly, cuddling and kissing are more important to men in long-term relationships than to women.

Get your guy to help out around the house. Evidence shows that when women take on the majority of the domestic duties, both partners report lower satisfaction with sex and the relationship in general.

Talk outside of the bedroom. Ninety-six percent of people think sex is more fulfilling when there's an emotional connection between partners.

Don't let stress get in your way. "A woman with an otherwise normal sex drive may feel uninterested in sex if she has a high-stress life," says Parks. "If that stress comes with her to bed, it can prevent her from having sex (and ironically, sex would reduce her stress!)" Stop the cycle and try to fit in some chill time for yourself—even if it's only a few minutes—each day.

Make sex a priority, at least some of the time. It's not only good for your relationship, it's also good for you. "Sex is valuable. It comes with lots of health benefits, including lowered blood pressure, lowered risk of heart disease, improved sleep quality, enhanced immunity, and reduced chronic pain," says Parks.

To find out more surprising facts about sex, including how often everyone else is doing it, check out this infographic from Happify below: